How enforcement fear is affecting California families

This page shares what research shows and practical steps. It is general information, not legal, medical or mental health advice. DNLH is not a crisis line.

What are families going through?

Two surveys in fall 2025 give a picture. Neither one is only about California, and both have limits, which we note.

The KFF/New York Times 2025 Survey of Immigrants asked 1,805 immigrant adults across the U.S., between August 28 and October 20, 2025, in six languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. It is designed to represent immigrants nationally (KFF). It found:

Mission Asset Fund, a San Francisco nonprofit that serves immigrant families, surveyed more than 1,200 families in English and Spanish starting September 10, 2025. Most were its own clients, families who cannot get federal aid. About one in four had a direct encounter with ICE, such as threats, arrests or a deportation in the family. About two in three had taken steps like staying home, avoiding public places or limiting their children's activities, even without contact with ICE. Nearly all asked for help with basic needs like rent and food, and about a third named legal help or counseling as a top need (MAF, September 19, 2025). Because it surveyed its own clients, the results may not match all immigrant families.

What these numbers say together: fear is common, it reaches people with papers too, and it shows up in daily life, health and money. KFF found the biggest rise in worry among lawfully present immigrants and naturalized citizens.

Fear is keeping us home. What can we do?

Many families cut back on going out. Some caution makes sense. Total isolation can hurt health, work and children. These steps help families get some life back:

1. Learn your rights once, well. Knowing what to say at the door or on the street lowers panic. See If immigration agents come and carry a red card.
2. Make a family plan. Decide who picks up the children, who has keys, where documents are and who to call. See Make a family preparedness plan.
3. Check rumors before you act on them. Call a local rapid response network before you skip work or pull kids from school over a post you saw online.
4. Keep some routines. Regular meals, sleep, walks and calls with family steady the body and mind.
5. Go out with someone you trust if being alone in public scares you.
6. Know the places with special protections. See Can ICE arrest me at a courthouse, hospital or church?

Our children are afraid. What helps?

Children notice fear even when adults try to hide it. KFF found that 18% of immigrant parents saw an effect on their child's well being.

• Tell the truth simply. Use words that fit their age. "Some families are worried about immigration. We have a plan to keep you safe."
• Show them the plan. Who will pick them up. Which number to call. Where they will stay.
• Keep them in school. Every child in California has the right to a free public education, whatever their status. See Every child can go to public school and If immigration agents come to my child's school.
• Watch for signs like trouble sleeping, stomachaches, clinging, anger or falling grades.
• Get support from a school counselor or a children's mental health program. See Mental health help for children in California.

If a parent has already been detained or deported, see Helping children cope when a parent is detained or deported.

We are avoiding health care. Is it safe to go?

KFF found that the share of immigrant adults who skipped or put off care rose from 22% in 2023 to 29% in 2025, and 19% of those named immigration worries as a reason. Among likely undocumented parents, 58% said a child had delayed or skipped care in the past year.

Skipping care can turn a small problem into an emergency. What to know:

• Children under 19 in California can get full Medi-Cal whatever their status (DHCS). Medi-Cal for adults is changing in 2027. See Medi-Cal for adults.
• Using benefits. New public charge rules took effect in September 2026, and health care for children is a common worry. See Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case? before you drop any benefit.
• Clinics and hospitals are places to ask about privacy. Ask the clinic what its policy is if agents come.

Fear is wearing me down. Where can I get support?

Forty percent of immigrant adults in the KFF survey reported stress, anxiety, sleep or eating problems, or worse health from immigration worries. That number is 77% for likely undocumented immigrants. You are not weak for feeling it.

• Right now: try a short breathing or grounding exercise. See Simple grounding exercises for fear and stress.
• Talk to someone: see Mental health care without fear for low cost and free options.
• Crisis: call or text 988 for emotional distress or thoughts of suicide. Call 911 if someone is in danger right now (988 Lifeline).

We cannot pay the bills. Where can we turn?

About half of the immigrants KFF surveyed said they struggle to pay for housing, food or health care. Missed work, lost jobs and fear of going out all add up.

• Food: see Food help. Every California public school student can get free breakfast and lunch (Ed Code 49501.5).
• Emergency cash: see How immigrant families can find emergency cash help.
• Pay you are owed: if fear made you leave a job, you still have a right to your wages. See How to file a wage claim.
• Local services: in many counties, 211 can connect you to rent, food and utility help. 211 does not cover every county in California, so check your county.

What are communities doing?

Across California, schools, congregations, clinics and neighbors are adapting. Some common responses:

• Rapid response networks that check reports and send trained observers
• Know your rights workshops at schools and community centers. See How to lead a family preparedness workshop.
• Food and supply delivery for families afraid to go out
• Volunteer drivers and walking groups for school drop off
• Free legal clinics

Ask a school, clinic or legal group near you how to join one.

Questions people ask

I am a citizen or have a green card. Why am I so worried? KFF found the largest increase in worry among lawfully present immigrants and naturalized citizens. Many have family members at risk. Your feelings are real and common.

Should I keep my kids home from school? Most families keep children in school, with a plan for pickup. Talk to the school about its rules. Missing school has its own harms.

Is it safe to go to work? Know your rights at work. See If ICE comes to your work.

Should we leave the country? That is a big decision with legal and family effects. See Thinking about leaving the U.S. and talk to a lawyer first.

Where can I get help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (all states): call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24/7.
• San Mateo County residents: StarVista Crisis Hotline (650) 579-0350, 24/7. Use 988 too.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (Bay Area): free first consultation (650) 587-1558, by appointment. iibayarea.org
• Free legal help: Free legal help in the Bay Area

Is there a plan we can print?